T&T minister’s sons beaten at Hilton

(Trinidad Express) Police are probing an incident in which two sons of Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma were beaten during an incident while attending a poolside party at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann’s on Tuesday.

Even though the incident occurred around 4.30 a.m. on Tuesday, a report was only made yesterday afternoon to officers of the Belmont Police Station.

Sharma’s sons have been identified in the police report as Subran Sharma, 23, and Devaan Sharma, 19, both of Keith Street, San Fernando.

Although police were trying to keep the investigation out of the media, the Express was reliably informed of the incident.

According to a report lodged at the Belmont Police Station, the brothers had to seek medical attention at the Port of Spain General Hospital for injuries they received about their bodies.

Contacted last evening on the report that his sons were beaten during an incident at the hotel, Minister Sharma said, “That wasn’t how it happened, but call me back in 20 minutes.”

Further attempts to reach Sharma after 20 minutes elapsed proved futile as calls to his cell phone went unanswered.

Attorney Devesh Maharaj, who is seeking the interest of the victims, reported the incident to ASP Basdeo Ramdhanie of the Belmont Police Station, who was detailed to probe the incident.

Ramdhanie, the Express was reliably informed, visited the office of Maharaj, at Abercromby Street, Port of Spain and secured statements in relation to the attack.

According to police sources, the brothers were attending a party at Hilton’s poolside when they got into an argument with three Valsayn men.

Sometime during the argument, the report said, Subran was struck on the head with a glass bottle. The brothers, police said, left the area where the incident started and made their way to a washroom.

They were followed by the three Valsayn men and “kicked and cuffed” about their bodies. They were later treated at hospital and discharged.

Contacted last evening, DCP Mervyn Richardson said it was the first time he heard of the incident but promised to look into it later today.

“I’m really surprised that no one told me of that incident. Honestly, this is the first time I am hearing about this but I could assure you that I will investigate it first thing tomorrow (today),” Richardson said.

However, head of the Port of Spain Division, Snr Supt Lennox O’Garro, contacted late last evening, confirmed police are probing an incident which took place at the hotel.

O’Garro, however, said he did not have the facts on the matter and could not confirm who the victims are or the status of the investigation.

Police are awaiting the medical report which they applied for at the hospital before they determine what charges could be laid against the three suspects.